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Thursday, April 28, 2016

PP1
Reiterating
its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace
and security and, in this context, the need to promote and ensure
respect for the principles and rules of international humanitarian
law,

PP2
Recalling
all relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 2175
(2014) and 1502 (2003) on the protection of humanitarian personnel,
resolutions 1265 (1999), 1296 (2000), 1674 (2006), 1738 (2006), 1894
(2009) and 2222 (2015) on the protection of civilians in armed
conflict, resolutions 1539 (2004) and 1612 (2005) relating to the
establishment of a monitoring and reporting mechanism on children and
armed conflict, and resolution 1998 (2011) on attacks against schools
and/or hospitals, as well as relevant statements of its President
related to the protection of civilians in armed conflict and to the
protection of medical personnel and humanitarian personnel in
conflict zones,

PP3
Recalling
all relevant General Assembly resolutions, including resolution
70/104 entitled Safety and security of humanitarian personnel and
protection of United Nations personnel, 70/106 entitled Strengthening
of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the
United Nations, and 69/132 entitled Global health and foreign policy,

PP4
Recalling
the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977
and 2005, as applicable, as well as relevant customary international
law concerned with the protection of the wounded and sick, medical
personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in medical
duties, their means of transport and equipment, as well as hospitals
and other medical facilities, and the obligation of parties to armed
conflict to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian
law in all circumstances,

PP5
Recalling
the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated
Personnel, and its Optional Protocol,

PP6
Recognizing
the particular challenges faced by humanitarian personnel exclusively
engaged in medical duties and medical personnel and reaffirming
that all humanitarian personnel are entitled to respect and
protection under international humanitarian law,

PP7
Stressing
that identification of medical personnel and humanitarian personnel
exclusively engaged in medical duties, their means of transport and
equipment, as well as hospitals and other medical facilities may
enhance their protection, and in this regard, recalling
also the obligations, in situations of armed conflict, pertaining to
the use and the protection of the distinctive emblems under the
Geneva Conventions of 1949 and where applicable, their Additional
Protocols,

PP8
Recalling
further the specific obligations under international humanitarian law
to respect and protect, in situations of armed conflict, medical
personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in medical
duties, their means of transport and equipment, and hospitals and
other medical facilities, which must not be attacked, and to ensure
that the wounded and sick receive, to the fullest extent practicable
and with the least possible delay, the medical care and attention
required,

PP9
Recalling
also
the obligation under international humanitarian law to distinguish
between civilian populations and combatants, and the prohibition
against indiscriminate attacks, and the obligations to do everything
feasible to verify that the objectives to be attacked are neither
civilians nor civilian objects and are not subject to special
protection, including medical personnel their means of transport and
equipment, and hospitals and other medical facilities, and recalling
further
the obligation to take all feasible precautions with a view to
avoiding and in any event minimizing harm to civilians and civilian
objects,

PP10
Deeply
concerned
that despite these obligations, acts of violence, attacks and threats
against medical personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively
engaged in medical duties, their means of transport and equipment, as
well as hospitals and other medical facilities, are being perpetrated
in situations of armed conflicts and that the number of such acts is
increasing,

PP11
Recalling
that locally recruited medical personnel and humanitarian personnel
exclusively engaged in medical duties account for the majority of
casualties among such personnel in situations of armed conflict,

PP12
Further
concerned that
the delivery of humanitarian assistance, including medical
assistance, to populations in need is being obstructed by parties to
armed conflicts in many conflict situations,

PP13
Recalling
that under international humanitarian law, persons engaged in medical
activities shall not be compelled to perform acts or to carry out
work contrary to the rules of medical ethics or to other medical
rules designed for the benefit of the wounded and the sick,

PP14
Convinced
that acts of violence, attacks and threats against medical personnel
and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in medical duties,
their means of transport and equipment, as well as hospitals and
other medical facilities, and obstructing the delivery of
humanitarian assistance, including medical assistance, may exacerbate
ongoing armed conflicts and undermine the efforts of the Security
Council to maintain international peace and security under the
Charter of the United Nations,

PP15
Reaffirming
the need for all parties to armed conflict to respect the
humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and
independence in the provision of humanitarian assistance, including
medical assistance, and reaffirming
also the need for all actors engaged in the provision of such
assistance in situations of armed conflict to promote and fully
respect these principles,

PP16
Urging
States to ensure that violations of international humanitarian law
related to the protection of the wounded and sick, medical personnel
and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in medical duties,
their means of transport and equipment, as well as hospitals and
other medical facilities in armed conflicts do not remain unpunished,
affirming
the need for States to ensure that those responsible do not operate
with impunity, and that they are brought to justice, as provided for
by national laws and obligations under international law,

PP17
Recalling
that,
under international law, attacks intentionally directed against
hospitals and places where the sick and wounded are collected,
provided that they are not military objectives, as well as attacks
intentionally directed against buildings, material, medical units and
transport and personnel using the distinctive emblems of the Geneva
Conventions in conformity with international law are war crimes,

PP18
Stressing
that the fight against impunity and to ensure accountability for war
crimes and other serious violations of international humanitarian law
has been strengthened through the work on and prosecution of these
crimes in the international criminal justice system, and in this
regard reiterating
the
importance of State cooperation with international courts and
tribunals in accordance with States’ respective obligations,

PP19
Noting
that medical personnel, and humanitarian personnel exclusively
engaged in medical duties, in an armed conflict situation, continue
to be under a duty to provide competent medical service in full
professional and moral independence, with compassion and respect for
human dignity, and always to bear in mind human life and to act in
the patient’s best interest and stressing
the
need to uphold their respective professional codes of ethics, and
furthernoting
the applicable rules of international humanitarian law relating to
the non-punishment of any person for carrying out medical activities
compatible with medical ethics,

PP20
Reaffirming
the
primary responsibility of States to protect the population throughout
their whole territory and recalling
in this regard that all parties to armed conflict must comply fully
with the obligations applicable to them under international
humanitarian law related to the protection of civilians in armed
conflict and medical personnel,

OP1
Strongly
condemns
acts of violence, attacks and threats against the wounded and sick,
medical personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in
medical duties, their means of transport and equipment, as well as
hospitals and other medical facilities, and deplores
the long-term consequences of such attacks for the civilian
population and the healthcare systems of the countries concerned;

OP2
Demands
that all parties to armed conflicts fully comply with their
obligations under international law, including international human
rights law, as applicable, and international humanitarian law, in
particular their obligations under the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and
the obligations applicable to them under the Additional Protocols
thereto of 1977 and 2005, to ensure the respect and protection of all
medical personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in
medical duties, their means of transport and equipment, as well as
hospitals and other medical facilities;

OP3
Demands
that all parties to armed conflicts facilitate safe and unimpeded
passage for medical personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively
engaged in medical duties, their equipment, transport and supplies,
including surgical items, to all people in need, consistent with
international humanitarian law;

OP5
Strongly
urges
States and all parties to armed conflict to develop effective
measures to prevent and address acts of violence, attacks and threats
against medical personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively
engaged in medical duties, their means of transport and equipment, as
well as hospitals and other medical facilities in armed conflict,
including, as appropriate, through the development of domestic legal
frameworks to ensure respect for their relevant international legal
obligations, the collection of data on obstruction, threats and
physical attacks on medical personnel and humanitarian personnel
exclusively engaged in medical duties, their means of transport and
medical facilities, and to share challenges and good practice in this
regard;

OP6
Underlines
the
important role that education and training in international
humanitarian law can play in supporting efforts to halt and prevent
acts of violence, attacks and threats against the wounded and sick,
medical personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in
medical duties, their means of transport and equipment, as well as
hospitals and other medical facilities;

OP7
Calls
upon States to ensure that their armed forces and security forces,
within their respective competencies under domestic law, make or,
where relevant, continue their efforts to integrate practical
measures for the protection of the wounded and sick and medical
services into the planning and conduct of their operations;

OP8
Emphasizes
the
responsibility of States to comply with the relevant obligations
under international law to end impunity and to ensure those
responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law
are held to account;

OP9
Strongly
condemns
the prevailing impunity for violations and abuses committed against
medical personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in
medical duties, their means of transport and equipment, as well as
hospitals and other medical facilities in armed conflict, which in
turn may contribute to the recurrence of these acts;

OP10
Strongly
urges
States to conduct, in an independent manner, full, prompt, impartial
and effective investigations within their jurisdiction of violations
of international humanitarian law related to the protection of the
wounded and sick, medical personnel and humanitarian personnel
exclusively engaged in medical duties, their means of transport and
equipment, as well as hospitals and other medical facilities in armed
conflict, and, where appropriate, take action against those
responsible in accordance with domestic and international law, with a
view to reinforcing preventive measures, ensuring accountability and
addressing the grievances of victims;

OP11
Expresses
its intention to
ensure that the mandates of relevant United Nations peacekeeping
operations can, where appropriate and on a case-by-case basis, help
to contribute to a secure environment to enable the delivery of
medical assistance, in accordance with humanitarian principles;

OP12
Encourages
the
Secretary-General, in accordance with his prerogatives under the
Charter of the United Nations, to bring to the attention of the
Security Council situations in which the delivery of medical
assistance to populations in need is being obstructed by parties to
the armed conflict;

OP13
Requests
the Secretary-General to include in his country-specific situation
reports, and other relevant reports which address the protection of
civilians, the issue of the protection of the wounded and sick,
medical personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in
medical duties, their means of transport and equipment, as well as
hospitals and other medical facilities, including recording specific
acts of violence against them, remedial actions taken by parties to
the armed conflict and other relevant actors, including humanitarian
agencies, to prevent similar incidents, and actions taken to identify
and hold accountable those who commit such acts;

OP14
Further
requests
the Secretary-General to promptly provide the Security Council with
recommendations on measures to prevent incidents of the kind
described in the above paragraph and to better ensure accountability
and enhance the protection of the wounded and sick and medical
personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in medical
duties, their means of transport and equipment, as well as hospitals
and other medical facilities;

OP15
Further requests
the Secretary-General to brief the Security Council every twelve
months on the implementation of this resolution.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

MEDIATOR ́S SUMMARY OF
THE 13-27 APRIL ROUND OF UN FACILITATED INTRA-SYRIAN TALKS

This paper sets out an
account of developments and the work plan executed by the UN Special
Envoy during the round of UN facilitated Intra-Syrian Talks held in
Geneva between 13-27 April 2016.

Agenda

The work plan for this
round of Talks was based upon the agenda as set by Security Council
resolution 2254 (2015), which provides for, within the target of six
months, the establishment of a credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian
governance, the setting of a schedule and process for drafting a
constitution, and further expresses support for the holding of free
and fair elections. Prior to the beginning of this round of Talks,
the Special Envoy informed the participants that the round would
focus on political transition and governance, in accordance with the
exclusive mandate given to him by the Security Council. The Special
Envoy can confirm that the agenda of political transition is now
accepted by all participants, who indicated a readiness to engage on
political transition and governance during this round of Talks.

At the start of this
round, the Special Envoy further informed the participants that he
intended to use the first week and a half to map out their vision of
political transition in order to ascertain points of commonality with
a view to establishing a clear, concrete conception of political
transition for Syria, that was in accordance with resolution 2254,
the Vienna Statements and the Geneva Communiqué. To this end, he
offered the services of experts from his office to engage each of the
participants in technical talks, which were designed to help them
identify the actual steps and arrangements necessary to establish a
political transition. The participants were further informed on 15
April 2016 that the Special Envoy intended to hold four sessions on
four central issues of transition, namely:

The functions and
powers of the institution, or institutions, of governance established
to carry through the political transition,

The method of
establishing the institution, or institutions, of governance through
mutual consent and the decision-making process,

The relationship of the
transitional institutions with the overall institutions of the state,

The process of moving
on from political transition to a permanent, new constitution and
eventually to new elections.

Reaffirming
its commitment to assist the parties to achieve a just, lasting, and
mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the
self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in the context of
arrangements consistent with the principles and purposes of the
Charter of the United Nations, and noting
the role and responsibilities of the parties in this respect,

Reiterating
its call upon the parties and the neighbouring states to cooperate
more fully with the United Nations and with each other and to
strengthen their involvement to end the current impasse and to
achieve progress towards a political solution,

Recognizing
that achieving a political solution to this long-standing dispute and
enhanced cooperation between the Member States of the Maghreb Arab
Union would contribute to stability and security in the Sahel region,

Welcoming
the efforts of the Secretary-General to keep all peacekeeping
operations, including the United Nations Mission for the Referendum
in Western Sahara (MINURSO), under close review and reiterating the
need for the Council to pursue a rigorous, strategic approach to
peacekeeping deployments, and effective management of resources,

Recognizing
the
important role played by MINURSO on the ground and the need for it to
fully implement its mandate,

Expressing
concern
about the violations of existing agreements, and calling
on
the parties to respect their relevant obligations,

Taking
note
of the Moroccan proposal presented on 11 April 2007 to the
Secretary-General and the serious and credible Moroccan efforts to
move the process forward towards resolution; also taking
note
of the Polisario Front proposal presented 10 April 2007 to the
Secretary-General,

Encouraging
in this context, the parties to demonstrate further political will
towards a solution including by expanding upon their discussion of
each other’s proposals,

Taking
note
of the four rounds of negotiations held under the auspices of the
Secretary-General and recognizing
the importance of the parties committing to continue the negotiations
process,

Encouraging
the parties to resume cooperation with the Office of the High
Commissioner for Refugees in implementing the January 2012 updated
Plan of Action on Confidence Building Measures, including programs
focused on linking people who have been divided for more than 40
years due to the conflict,

Stressing
the importance of improving the human rights situation in Western
Sahara and the Tindouf camps, and encouraging the parties to work
with the international community to develop and implement independent
and credible measures to ensure full respect for human rights,
bearing in mind their relevant obligations under international law,

Encouraging
the parties to continue in their respective efforts to enhance the
promotion and protection of human rights in Western Sahara and the
Tindouf refugee camps, including the freedoms of expression and
association,

Welcoming
in this regard, the recent steps and initiatives taken by Morocco,
and the role played by the National Council on Human Rights
Commissions operating in Dakhla and Laayoune, and Morocco’s
interaction with Special Procedures of the United Nations Human
Rights Council,

Commending
the technical visit of the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to Western Sahara in April
2015, and to the Tindouf refugee camps in July-August 2015, and
strongly encouraging full continuing
cooperation with OHCHR, including through facilitating further visits
to the region,

Recognizing
the impact of torrential rains in October 2015 on the Tindouf refugee
camps and welcoming the plan of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees to convene a donor briefing,

Reiterating
its request
for consideration of a refugee registration in the Tindouf refugee
camps and inviting
efforts in this regard,

Stressing
the importance of a commitment by the parties to continue the process
of negotiations through the United Nations-sponsored talks,

Recognizing
that the consolidation of the status quo is not acceptable, and
noting
further
that progress in the negotiations is essential in order to improve
the quality of life of the people of Western Sahara in all its
aspects,

Affirming
full support for the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western
Sahara Ambassador Christopher Ross and his work in facilitating
negotiations between the parties, and, welcoming
to that effect his recent initiatives and ongoing consultations with
the parties and neighbouring states,

Affirming
full support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General
for Western Sahara and Head of MINURSO Kim Bolduc,

Noting
with concern
that MINURSO’s ability to fully carry out its mandate has been
affected as the majority of its civilian component, including
political personnel, cannot perform their duties within MINURSO’s
area of operations,

Having
considered
the report of the Secretary-General of 19 April 2016 (S/2016/355),

1.
Decides to extend the mandate of MINURSO until 30 April 2017;

2.
Emphasizes the urgent need for M1NURSO to return to full
functionality;

3.
Requests the Secretary-General to brief the Council within 90 days on
whether MINURSO has returned to full functionality and expresses its
intention, if MINURSO has not achieved full functionality, to
consider how best to facilitate achievement of this goal;

4.
Reaffirms the need for full respect of the military agreements
reached with MINURSO with regard to the ceasefire and calls on the
parties to adhere fully to those agreements;

5.
Calls upon all parties to cooperate fully with the operations of
MINURSO, including its free interaction with all interlocutors, and
to take the necessary steps to ensure the security of as well as
unhindered movement and immediate access for the United Nations and
associated personnel in carrying out their mandate, in conformity
with existing agreements;

6.
Emphasizes the importance of the parties' commitment to continue the
process of preparation for a fifth round of negotiations, and recalls
its endorsement of the recommendation in the report of 14 April 2008
(S/2008/251) that realism and a spirit of compromise by the parties
are essential to achieve progress in negotiations;

7.
Calls' upon the parties to continue to show political will and work
in an atmosphere propitious for dialogue in order to enter into a
more intensive and substantive phase of negotiations, thus ensuring
implementation of resolutions 1754 (2007), 1783 (2007), 1813 (2008),
1871 (2009), |920 (2010), 1979 (2011), 2044 (2012), 2099 (2013), 2152
(2014), and 2218 (2015) and the success of negotiations;

8.
Affirms its full support for the commitment of the Secretary-General
and his Personal Envoy towards a solution to the question of Western
Sahara in this context and calls for renewed meetings and
strengthening of contacts;

9.
Calls upon the parties to continue negotiations under the auspices of
the Secretary-General without preconditions and in good faith, taking
into account the efforts made since 2006 and subsequent developments,
with a view to achieving a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable
political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of
the people of Western Sahara in the context of arrangements
consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the
United Nations, and noting the role and responsibilities of the
parties in this respect;

10.
Invites Member States to lend appropriate assistance to these talks:

11.
Requests the Secretary-General to brief the Security Council on a
regular basis, and at least twice a year, on the status and progress
of these negotiations under his auspices, on the implementation of
this resolution, challenges to MINURSO's operations and steps taken
to address them, expresses its intention to meet to receive and
discuss his briefings and in this regard, and further requests the
Secretary-General to provide a report on the situation in Western
Sahara well before the end of the mandate period;

12.
Welcomes the commitment of the parties and the neighbouring states to
hold periodic meetings with the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees to review and, where possible, expand
confidence-building measures;

13.
Urges Member States to provide voluntary contributions to fund
confidence-building measures agreed upon between the parties,
including those that allow for visits between separated family
members, as well as food programmes to ensure that the humanitarian
needs of refugees are adequately addressed;

14.
Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take the necessary
measures to ensure full compliance in MINURSO with the United Nations
zero- tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to keep
the Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take
appropriate preventive action including predeployment awareness
training, and other action to ensure full accountability in cases of
such conduct involving their personnel;

The
Security Council recalls that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Initiative and Implementation Mechanism, the outcomes of the
comprehensive National Dialogue conference, and relevant Security
Council resolutions provide the basis for inclusive negotiations for
a political settlement of the crisis in Yemen.

The
Security Council welcomes the commencement of a nationwide cessation
of hostilities in Yemen which began at midnight on 10 April 2016, and
the launch of Yemeni-Yemeni peace talks, hosted by Kuwait, led and
facilitated by the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen,
Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, which commenced on 21 April. The Council
urges the parties to comply fully with the cessation of hostilities
and exercise restraint in response to any reports of violations. The
Council welcomes the establishment of a De-escalation and
Coordination Committee in Kuwait to bolster adherence to the
nationwide cessation of hostilities, and calls on the parties to work
with the De-escalation and Coordination Committee to resolve any
reports of violations to the cessation of hostilities.
Furthermore, the Council reiterates its call to all parties to engage
in peace talks in a flexible and constructive manner without
preconditions, and in good faith.

The
Security Council further notes the importance of reaching agreement
on a framework of principles, mechanisms and processes for the
conclusion of a comprehensive agreement which will bring about a
permanent end to the conflict.

The
Security Council also calls on all Yemeni parties to develop a
roadmap for the implementation of interim security measures,
especially at the local level, withdrawals, handover of heavy
weapons, restoration of state institutions, and the resumption of
political dialogue in line with relevant Security Council decisions,
the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Initiative and Implementation
Mechanism, and the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue
conference.

The
Security Council notes that in line with UN Security Council
Resolution 2216 (2015) and the outcomes of the comprehensive National
Dialogue conference, the Parties should commit to ensure that
security mechanisms, including the formation of security committees,
facilitate and oversee the negotiated withdrawal of militias and
armed groups and provide for the orderly handover of heavy and medium
weapons to state control.

The
Security Council recalls the importance of the full participation of
women and civil society in the peace process (including on security
arrangements), in line with the outcomes of the National Dialogue
conference.

The
Security Council expresses its strong concern about intensified
terrorist attacks, including by Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and
the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (also known as Da’esh),
and encourages all Yemeni parties to avoid any security vacuums that
can be exploited by terrorists or other violent groups. The Security
Council stresses that a political solution to the crisis is essential
to address, in a durable and comprehensive manner, the threat of
terrorism in Yemen.

The
Security Council stresses the importance of the restoration of
government control over all state institutions, including respect for
the legally established lines of authority in state institutions;
removal of any hindrance or obstructions to proper functioning of
state institutions; and changes to ensure inclusivity in political
institutions.

The
Security Council reiterates that resuming Yemen’s peaceful
political transition to a democratically-governed State, in line with
the GCC initiative, should be guided by a new constitution and the
holding of parliamentary and presidential elections, and conducted in
an inclusive manner involving the full participation of all of
Yemen’s diverse communities, including all regions of the country,
youth, and the full and effective participation of women.

The
Security Council notes the devastating humanitarian impact of the
conflict on the Yemeni people and emphasises that the humanitarian
situation will deteriorate in the absence of a political solution.
The Security Council calls upon all sides to comply with
international humanitarian law, including to take all feasible
precautions to minimize harm to civilians and civilian objects, in
order to prevent any further suffering for the people of Yemen. The
Security Council further underlines the need to ensure the security
of humanitarian and United Nations personnel. The Security Council
further calls on all parties to respect and protect medical
facilities and personnel.The Security Council calls on all parties to
take proactive steps to protect civilians and civilian objects, in
order to prevent any further suffering of the Yemeni people. The
Security Council further calls on the parties to allow the safe,
rapid and unhindered access for humanitarian supplies to all affected
governorates and to facilitate access for essential imports of food,
fuel and, medical supplies into the country and their distribution
throughout. In this regard, the Security Council calls upon all
States to respect the mandate and processes of the United Nations
Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM), based in Djibouti, and
facilitate the full implementation of its mandate without any further
delay.

The
Security Council recalls its resolution 2266 (2016) which
expressed the Council’s support for and commitment to the work of
the Special Envoy for Yemen to the Secretary-General Ismail Ould
Cheikh Ahmed in support of a Yemeni-led transition process.

The
Security Council requests the Secretary-General to present a plan to
the Security Council, within 30 days, outlining how the Office of the
Special Envoy could support the next phase of its work with the
parties, in particular to support the elements set out in paragraph 5
above.

The
Security Council reaffirms its strong commitment to the unity,
sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen.

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

1.
The present report is submitted pursuant to Security Council
resolution 2218 (2015), by which the Council extended the mandate of
the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara
(MINURSO) until 30 April 2016 and requested me to provide a report to
it on the situation in Western Sahara well before the end of the
mandate period. It covers developments since my report dated 10 April
2015 (S/2015/246) and describes the situation on the ground, the
status and progress of the political negotiations on Western Sahara,
my activities and those of my Chef de Cabinet, the implementation of
resolution 2218 (2015), and the existing challenges to the Mission's
operations and steps taken to address them, as the Council requested
in its resolution 2218 (2015).

2.
Between 3 and 7 March 2016, I visited the region to make my own
contribution to the negotiating process, to pay tribute to the United
Nations peacekeeping operation, MINURSO, and its personnel, to see
for myself the humanitarian situation on the ground, and to discuss
other issues of concern. The Moroccan Government took strong
exception to a number of my words and actions during this trip. I
regret that it chose to forego seeking clarifications through
diplomatic channels, instead issuing a number of public statements
and communiques and organizing mass protest demonstrations in Rabat
and Laayoune. I have repeatedly made it clear that nothing I had said
or done had been meant to take sides, express hostility to the
Kingdom of Morocco, or signal any change in the approach of the
United Nations to the Western Sahara issue. The results of my trip
and subsequent developments are further detailed in the sections on
political activities and M1NURSO below.

II.
Recent developments

3.
In additional reaction to certain of my words and actions during my
trip, the Foreign Minister of Morocco, Mr. Salaheddine Mezouar,
called on me on 14 March 2016 to deliver a letter stating that
Morocco was entitled to "immediate, formal and public
clarifications about [my] positions, the meaning of [my] actions, as
well as [my] intentions concerning [...] the parameters agreed during
[my] phone conversation with His Majesty the King Mohammed VI".
On 15 March, the Government of Morocco announced a series of measures